Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday announced that the State government will set up high-standard educational institutes in the Adivasi-dominated areas for the development of the community in the field of education.
Sonowal made this announcement while addressing a gathering during the open session of the 15th Adivasi Mahasabha, 2018 organized by the central committee of the All Adivasi Students’ Association of Assam (AASAA) held at Lt Justin Lakra Kshetra in Khokhabasti-Bholakash area of Udalguri district on Sunday.
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Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sonowal also said, “For the development of the Adivasi community of Assam, the State Government has taken up a series of projects in all areas including health and infrastructure.”
Sonowal also said, “The Adivasis are down-to-earth people whose work culture should be imbibed by the young generation. They are the driving strength of the greater Assamese society. The people of various tribes, communities and religions must play their role in cementing the ties of harmony thereby strengthening the greater Assamese society.”
Sonowal also announced setting up of an auditorium at Khokhabasti area in the name of Birsa Munda, a prominent leader of the Adivasi community and directed PHE, Food & Civil Supply Minister Rihon Daimary to allot land for the auditorium. Sonowal exhorted the youths to understand and imbibe the ideologies of Munda.
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Underlining Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘Sabka saath sabka
Vikas’, Sonowal said their government has been working to ensure equal development, equal dignity and equal opportunity to all sections of the people of the State.
Sonowal further reiterated the commitment of his government for inclusive development.
Paying rich tributes to the founder president of AASAA Late Justin Lakra, Sonowal said that Lakra strived hard to unite and strengthen the Adivasi people.
Sonowal concluded with the famous line ‘We are in the same boat brother’ of Paul Robeson immortalised by music legend Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Earlier, the open session, inaugurated by AASAA president Pradeep Nag, was addressed as appointed speaker by president of Adivasi Sahitya Sabha, Wilfred Topno. In his speech, Topno expressed concern over the step-mother attitude of the government towards resolving the issues plaguing the community.
He urged the government for proper implementation of the Right to Education Act, Traditional Forest Dwellers’ Act and job reservation. He also said that the Adivasis are being deprived of the right to education, electricity, health care, drinking water and other basic facilities in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Revenue, Labour and Power, Pallab Lochan Das assured of taking possible steps towards the upliftment of the marginalised community including construction of houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana by signing pacts with tea garden authorities. He also assured of electrification under the ‘Subhagya’ scheme.
However, speaking on the occasion, Rajya Sabha MP Santiuse Kujur said, “The governments at both the Centre and State have been playing a hide-and-seek game with the Adivasi people of the State on the ST issue.” Kujur further stated that the government would be thrown out of power in the forthcoming polls if they don’t fulfil their poll promises of ST status to the Adivasis of the State.
The open meeting, where the welcome address was delivered by Minister Rihon Daimari, was also addressed by Rajya Sabha MP Biswajit Daimary, Panery MLA Kamali Basumatari. The event was also attended by Mazbat MLA Charan Boro, BTC EM Shyam Sundi among others.